Employees Enjoy Citizen Week

Friday

Oct 12, 2012 at 4:54 PM

Patty Dangelico has joined the board of directors of the Guardianship Office of the Tenth Circuit, Inc. a 501C3 not-for-profit group recently established in Polk County. Dangelico serves as the networking manager at Above & Beyond Compassionate Care, whose service area includes Polk, Hardee, Highlands, Hillsborough and Manatee counties providing homemaker companion services, not limited to seniors. She is actively involved in the community as a member of the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce, Lakeland Downtown Chapter of the American Business Women's Association and the Lakeland Business "Lead"ers networking group.

The YMCA of West Central Florida has announced the following individuals have joined their board of directors: David K. Boles, president, Office Furniture Depot; Gilbert Rincon, CEO, Early Learning Coalition of Polk County; Matt Green, controller, Land South Group; and Elaine Thompson, CEO, Lakeland Regional Medical Center.

GOOD CITIZENS

Truly Nolen Pest Control Service employees take their job seriously being "Good Citizens and Ruthless Exterminators." They recently embarked on their quarterly nationwide blitz in several of their key markets in places that include Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas and Utah.

To kick off this truly good week, Truly Nolen Lakeland employees volunteered at Lighthouse Ministries, a local homeless shelter, to serve warm meals.

Good Citizen Week is a community-wide effort where Truly Nolen employees are expected to perform good deeds such as visiting nursing homes, repairing flat tires for stranded motorists, orchestrating beach clean-ups, handing out coloring books to children, buying people car washes and surprising locals with free snacks and cold water with the hopes that those impacted will choose to pay it forward to another unsuspecting individual. Subtle acts of kindness can brighten anyone's day.

Kudos to them!

CHECK, PLEASE!

The Ridge Association of Healthcare Underwriters held a golf tournament recently at Cleveland Heights Golf & Country Club to benefit Lakeland Volunteers In Medicine. Schatzie Haines, vice president of Lanier Upshaw, presented LVIM with a donation from the event.

Lakeland Volunteers In Medicine is a 501 (c)(3) organization dedicated to providing free healthcare to the working uninsured of Polk County. One hundred percent of its budget is met by generous donations and support from local businesses and individuals, the Lakeland Derby plus local, regional and national grants.

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS

A sold-out crowd helped raise more than $250,000 at the 14th Annual Art of Helping Children Gala, benefitting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay, Inc. The money will pay for the background checks, training and on-going support of volunteer mentors who will be paired with children in the community. This year's inspiration for the event came from Woody Allen's movie "Midnight in Paris." In the movie, the main character goes back in time to the 1920s, where he is mentored by influential artists of the day. Can-can girls and strolling musicians greeted the 500-plus guests who were transported to the glamour of 1920s France.

The highlights of the evening included Renee, a mother of twin boys Brent and Brett, who are mentored by Big Brothers in the program. Renee, a single parent, explained to the crowd how much her sons needed positive male role models in their lives. Both boys have been matched with Big Brothers for more than seven years, and the impact is evident: their self-confidence has improved, they're doing better in school, and they both say, their Big Brothers have helped them steer clear of the negative influences that surround them. Guests were moved by their story and dozens pledged $1,000, which supports a Big/Little match for one year.

"American Idol" finalist and Blake High School student Shannon Magrane was the featured performer. She also shared the story of how mentors encouraged her to pursue her dreams. A special thanks to the following major sponsors who helped make the event a success: Earth Tech and The Broadrick Family Foundation, Lisa DeBartolo & Don Miggs, Nikki DeBartolo & Chad Chronister, Wellcare Community Foundation,C1 Bank, Bailey Family Foundation, Montblanc, Publix Charities and the Tampa Bay Rays. The Tampa Bay Times is an in-kind sponsor.

HEREDITY CLUB

At last month's meeting of the Lakeland Chapter of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, four members were inducted and a presentation was given by Raymond Wess on the origin of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution and the Society of the Cincinnati. New members are John Allen Randle, Christopher Thompson, George W. Mann and his 12-year-old grandson, Zachary Spiess.

Wess gave a presentation that was reported as being "dynamic and vibrant." It included the origin of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution and the Society of the Cincinnati. In 1876 in San Francisco, Calif., a group of descendants of Revolutionary patriots formed The Sons of the Revolutionary Sires to celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.

Out of The Sons of the Revolutionary Sires grew The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. The NSSAR was organized on April 30, 1889 the 100th anniversary of the inauguration of George Washington as the first president of our nation.

The SAR is open to lineal descendants of patriots who fought in battles or otherwise supported the cause for this nation's independence. The NSSAR was chartered by an act of Congress on June 9, 1906 and signed by President Theodore Roosevelt, a member of the SAR. Wess is a member of the West Palm Beach Chapter of the NSSAR and is the registrar/genealogist for that chapter.

The Society of the Cincinnati is the oldest military hereditary society in the United States. The name came from the Roman General Cincinnatus. It is open to descendents of the Continental Army and Navy officers. Membership passes successively from the original member through the eldest surviving son. Some well known original members were Gen. Henry Knox (the founder), Washington, Gen. Friedrich William von Steuben, Alexander Hamilton, Gen. Nathanael Greene, Capt. John Paul Jones, and Commodore John Barry.

Wess is a member of the State Society of the Cincinnati of Pennsylvania through descent from Capt. James McClean. He had a display of McClean's handwritten duty roster from the time he was stationed at West Point. The document is nearly 250 years old, and has been handed down through the family and is well-preserved and very legible.

SORORITY SISTERS

Lakeland Beta Sigma Phi City Council held its annual Preferential Tea at the home of Preceptor Alpha Tau member Nancy Doehring. Refreshments were provided by her chapter, as well as members of Xi Gamma Rho, Alpha Tau Master and Torchbearer Alpha.

Special guest was Charlene Greene, council honorary member and advisor.

At a recent meeting, special honors were given to two members. Sullivan received the Golden Circle Ritual for 50 years of membership in Beta Sigma Phi and Greene the Silver Circle in recognition of her 60-year membership.

Ladies, take a bow!

AT THE TABLE

The Ridge League of Cities has newly elected officers. At a dinner meeting held last month at Polk State College, they were installed. JP Powell, Winter Haven, treasurer; Marlene Wagner, Lake Hamilton, vice president; Richard Hamann, Auburndale, president; and Collins Smith, Mulberry, secretary.

Pat Kee, Auburndale city attorney, did the installation.

Others at the director's table include Leo Longworth, Mayor of Bartow. He introduced this year's Nettie Draughon recipient, Lois Dandridge, commissioner for Zolfo Springs. The award is given each year to an elected or appointed official who has made an outstanding contribution to his or her city. Dandridge has given more than 56 years of service to Zolfo Springs.

On Sept. 13, at the USF Lakeland campus, the Polk County Reading Council (PCRC) held its first meeting of the school year. Guest speaker Nanyce Blair of Engaging Education, addressed the power of thoughtful technology integration in the classroom. Though membership is open to anyone interested, most members are teachers and other school personnel who dedicate their evening time to the professional and personal growth opportunities presented at PCRC events.

At each meeting, members donate new books and bookshelves to a Habitat for Humanity family. The organization has plans to add new social gatherings to the meeting agenda, in order for members to experience the richness of Central Florida culture. The next meeting will be held at Valleyview Elementary on Nov. 8 at 5 p.m.

For more information, visit http://www.polkcountyreadingcouncil.org or contact Lindsay Persohn at lindsayfromhp@me.com.